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Research on Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health: A Review
Open accessAbstract
Religious and spiritual factors are increasingly being examined in psychiatric research. Religious beliefs and practices have long been linked to hysteria, neurosis, and psychotic delusions. However, recent studies have identified another side of religion that may serve as a psychological and social resource for coping with stress. After defining the terms religion and spirituality, this paper reviews research on the relation between religion and (or) spirituality, and mental health, focusing on depression, suicide, anxiety, psychosis, and substance abuse. The results of an earlier systematic review are discussed, and more recent studies in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other countries are described. While religious beliefs and practices can represent powerful sources of comfort, hope, and meaning, they are often intricately entangled with neurotic and psychotic disorders, sometimes making it difficult to determine whether they are a resource or a liability.
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“Spirituality serves to comfort people, assuage anxiety, and increase feelings of security, also boosting confidence in oneself and/or in what Harold G. Koenig (2009) calls “Divine beings”.”
From Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person (2022) · cites this paper as Koenig (2009)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“In extant literature, spirituality is shown to predict psychological well-being for adults who have experienced childhood trauma (Balgobin 2021), leading to less depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse (Koenig 2009).”
From Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person (2022) · cites this paper as Koenig 2009
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“The research literature on religiosity and mental health offers two entangled empirical narratives: some studies suggest that religious beliefs can present a psychological buffer against stress and hopelessness; other studies, however, indicate an intricate link between religious beliefs and psychotic and neurotic disorders [54–56].”
From Unpleasant meditation-related experiences in regular meditators: Prevalence, predictors, and conceptual considerations (2019) · cites this paper as [55]
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“As we see through Joseph's experience, Koenig (2009) shows that the struggles that arise from negative spiritual coping can significantly increase anxiety, wherein people feel that God is punishing them, has abandoned them, or is not able to intercede on their behalf.”
From Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person (2022) · cites this paper as Koenig (2009)
In the citing paper
“Also, religion and spirituality seem to confer resilience 112, 113.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [112]
In the citing paper
“Thus, religious beliefs may provide a sense of meaning and purpose during difficult life circumstances 112.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [112]
In the citing paper
“One of them is that religion and spirituality may stimulate a sense of life purpose 112, 115”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [112]
In the citing paper
“Some authors33,34 attribute this finding to the influence of psychological theories, such as Sigmund Freud's35 psychoanalysis, which is known to have pathologized religious behavior.”
From How psychiatrists think about religious and spiritual beliefs in clinical practice: findings from a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil (2019) · cites this paper as [34]
In the citing paper
“Religion/spirituality has been associated, for example, with lower rates of suicide, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse, better recovery in cases of depression and greater overall well-being.1–4”
From A preliminary survey on the religious profile of Brazilian psychiatrists and their approach to patients' religiosity in clinical practice (2016) · cites this paper as [3]
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Seet, V. A. L., Lee, Y. Y., Chua, Y. C., Verma, S. K., & Subramaniam, M. (2023) · Early Intervention in Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/eip.13469 · Cited by 4
Malmi, M. E., Chreim, S., & Aden, H. (2024) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-024-02035-2 · Cited by 3
“These issues have also been found in other studies (e.g. Koenig, 2009 ; Payne & Hays, 2016 ).”
da Silva‐Sauer, L., Costa-Fernandes, M., Ferreira, B. D. O., & Fernández‐Calvo, B. (2025) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-025-10470-w · Cited by 6
“Religion, defined as an organized system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and sym - bols that facilitates an approach to the sacred or transcendent (Koenig et al., 2001 ), has evolved to include positive spirituality, an aspect often overlooked in traditional aging models (Koenig, 2009).”
Boutros, H., Mina, M., Lasair, S., Michaelson, V., Baetz, M., Kokorelias, K., Harris, M. T., & van Doorn-Harder, N. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0340854 · Cited by 3
Yu, M. L. (2021) · Canadian Studies in Population · doi:10.1007/s42650-021-00043-1 · Cited by 3
“Among Durkheim’s contemporaries in neurology and psychiatry, Sigmund Freud considered religion to be pathological (Koenig, 2009; Ventis, 1995).”
BackgroundHistorical and Social Constructions of Disability
Lester, J. N., & O’Reilly, M. J. (2021) · Education, equity, economy · doi:10.1007/978-94-024-2134-7_2 · Cited by 3
Theodora, M., Sahrani, R., & Roswiyani, R. (2023) · Psikohumaniora Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi · doi:10.21580/pjpp.v8i2.17829 · Cited by 3
“Developing strong spirituality can enhance one's mental health (Basileyo, 2019; Boylan et al., 2022; Ivtzan et al., 2013; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundErdem, M. (2024) · International Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/09540261.2024.2314035 · Cited by 3
“Several studies have investigated the relationship between spiritual orientation and suicide (Koenig, 2009; Kralovec et al., 2018; Wagani and Colucci, 2018).”
Association Between Religiosity and Spirituality and Cocaine Use: A Systematic Review
Buja, A., Montecchio, L., & Dossi, F. (2024) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-024-02069-6 · Cited by 5
“There is a lively medical–scientific interest in studying the possible impact on health, mental health, and on health-related behaviors attributable to the profession of a faith or having one’s spiritual dimension (Hodapp & Zwingmann, 2019; Koenig, 2009; Weber & Pargament, 2014).”
BackgroundPsychosocial Determinants for Self-Reported Health Status in Patients on Hemodialysis
Cromm, K., Pham, L. H. N., Jaha, H., Fischer, K. I., Liegl, G., Schappert, A., Davenport, A., Barth, C. M., Blankestijn, P. J., Hegbrant, J., et al. (2024) · Kidney360 · doi:10.34067/kid.0000000599 · Cited by 3
“29 Further research may incorporate these factors.”
Chui, H. S., Ng, E. S. L., & Chan, K.-K. (2025) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel16080968 · Cited by 3
Coping with Illness Experiences in Patients with Schizophrenia: The Role of Peacefulness
Chan, C., Kong, H., Ho, R., & Hung, T. (2015) · The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) · Cited by 3
Lifetime prevalence and risk factors of drug use in North Cyprus: 2003-2015
Çakıcı, M., Karaaziz, M., Babayiğit, A., & Eş, A. (2020) · Cogent Psychology · doi:10.1080/23311908.2020.1772630 · Cited by 3
Journey Towards the End of Life
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Re-membering body and spirit through spiritual practices of sexual wholeness
Grannum, G. D., & Irwin-Diehl, R. (2021) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2021.1980207 · Cited by 3
“…as well as clinical presentations of depression, anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, and traumatic reactions may be associated with toxic religiosity (Beagan & Hattie, 2015; Emmers-Sommer et al., 2018; Fox & Young, 1989; Gilbert, 2011; Koenig, 2009; Lease et al., 2005; Tangney & Dearing, 2002).”
Chaimowitz, G. A., Urness, D., Mathew, B., Dornik, J., & Freeland, A. (2014) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 3
Religion and Subjective Well-being
Golo, B.-W. K., & Novieto, E. E. (2022) · Journal of Religion in Africa · doi:10.1163/15700666-12340233 · Cited by 3
Nurhayati, N., Rokhmad, A., Purnama, T. B., Siregar, P. A., Hasibuan, R. R. A., & Hayati, F. (2022) · Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization · doi:10.32350/jitc.122.12 · Cited by 3
Porto, A. A., Fini, B. C. D., Costa, D. D. S., & de Paula, J. J. (2022) · Debates em Psiquiatria · doi:10.25118/2763-9037.2022.v12.450 · Cited by 3
“Regularly related to personal and practical knowledge of a religious group belief, religious practice engagement is seen in most people, whether individually or collectively [2].”
BackgroundRisk of suicide and religious or spiritual beliefs in Brazilian adult patients with epilepsy
Petrarca, Y. M., & Tedrus, G. M. A. S. (2023) · Epilepsy & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109414 · Cited by 3
Context dependent cognitive development in Bhutanese children
Gredebäck, G., Dorji, N., Sen, U., Nyström, P., Hellberg, J., & Wangchuk (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-47254-x · Cited by 3
“In addition, religious beliefs are also known to operate as a coping mechanism, being associated with fewer depressive symptoms 45 .”
BackgroundReligious Involvement, Vegetarian Diet, and Mental Well-Being Among Seventh-day Adventists in Peru
Saintila, J., Pizarro-Ramírez, E. L., Enríquez, M. E. A., Céspedes, J. M. Z., & Calizaya-Milla, Y. E. (2024) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-024-02071-y · Cited by 5
“Religion is, by definition, a set of organized beliefs and practices adopted by an individual or a community (Koenig, 2009).”
Gupta, H. O., & Dhar, R. L. (2024) · Journal of Public Affairs · doi:10.1002/pa.2927 · Cited by 3
Abrori, M. S. (2023) · Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy · doi:10.51214/00202305752000 · Cited by 3
“Research has also shown that religious beliefs and practices can be instrumental coping when facing stress (Koenig, 2009).”
InfluentialReligiousness/Spirituality and Schizophrenia: Implications for Treatment and Community Support
Nolan, J. A., Dew, R. E., & Koenig, H. G. (2011) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0834-1_17 · Cited by 3
Self-citationComprehensive Wellbeing and Variables Linked to Religiosity in Mothers with Children Who Died
Barroso, C. V., & RUIZ, R. L. (2014) · Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.341 · Cited by 3
The Magic of Dreams: Conflicts and Quandaries Within Multicultural Societies in Transition
Baider, L., & Goldzweig, G. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22912-6_4 · Cited by 3
On the border of deep spirituality and psychosis… A case study
Dziwota, E., Żmuda, D., Dubiel, R., Dziwota, K., Markiewicz, R., Makara‐Studzińska, M., & Olajossy, M. (2016) · Current Problems of Psychiatry · doi:10.1515/cpp-2016-0020 · Cited by 3
“etnicznych (mieszkańców Kaukazu, Afroamerykanów, Hiszpanów i rdzennych Amerykanów) w różnych przedziałach wiekowych (młodzież, wiek średni i ludzie starsi) i w różnych krajach (Stany Zjednoczone, Kanada, Europa i kraje Wschodu) — wykazały, że zaangażowanie religijne jest związane z lepszym radzeniem sobie ze stresem,…”
BackgroundSo Much Trouble on My Mind: African American Males Coping With Mental Health Issues and Racism
Bennett, M. D. (2020) · Urban Social Work · doi:10.1891/usw-d-19-00005 · Cited by 4
“Religious beliefs and practices have in the past been associated with hysteria, neurosis, and psychotic delusions (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundAn Explanation of Corruption Cases in Indonesia from Al-Ghazali’s Psychological Construct of Nafsu
Fachrunisa, R. A., & Chizanah, L. (2021) · Cited by 3
The Role of Religion and Spirituality in the Care of Patients in Family Medicine
Lee‐Poy, M. (2012) · Scholarship@Western (Western University) · Cited by 3
Correa, R., & Parry, B. L. (2012) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.03.046 · Cited by 3
Exploring biblical reformational theology as a normative perspective for Christian psychology
Denton, R. A. (2014) · In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi · doi:10.4102/ids.v48i1.1791 · Cited by 3
“Koenig (2009) describes religious beliefs that assist with psychological integration as follows: Religious beliefs provide a sense of meaning and purpose in difficult life circumstances that assist with psychological integration; they usually promote a positive worldview that is optimistic and…”
BackgroundInfluentialTor, P., & Tan, J. O. A. (2014) · Asia-Pacific Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/appy.12149 · Cited by 3
“What the psychiatrist represents to patients Various patient demographics like gender (Afifi, 2007; Judd et al., 2009), race (Dein, 1997), culture (Andermann, 2010), and religion (Koenig, 2009) are well known to affect mental health beliefs, presentations, assessments, and treatments (Dein, 1997).”
BackgroundThe Spiritual Well-Being Scale: Portuguese Translation and Suggestions for Use
Paloutzian, R. F. (2016) · HORIZONTE - Revista de Estudos de Teologia e Ciências da Religião · doi:10.5752/p.2175-5841.2016v14n41p76 · Cited by 3
“79 Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, v. 14, n. 41, p. 76-88, Jan./Mar. 2016 – ISSN 2175-5841 Nevertheless, a researcher has sometimes used the SWBS when actually intending to measure spirituality (KOENIG, 2009; KOENIG, KING, & CARSON, 2012), an error I always advise against.”
Kleftaras, G., & Vasilou, E. (2016) · The European Journal of Counselling Psychology · doi:10.5964/ejcop.v5i1.90 · Cited by 3
“Spirituality, in most research findings, appears to be negatively associated with depression (Blazer, 2012; Dein, 2006; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialRankin, W. M. (2015) · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · Cited by 3
Ramkissoon, A. K., Donald, C., & Hutchinson, G. A. (2017) · International Journal of Social Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/0020764017702412 · Cited by 3
“Religious groups seem to offer a stress buffering effect by providing strong social support (Koenig, 2009; Tepper et al., 2001) maybe moreso to people and families affected by mental illness.”
BackgroundSPIRITUALITY AS A COPING MECHANISM FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH
Gök, F. A., Arslan, E., & Duyan, V. (2017) · IISES International Academic Conference · doi:10.20472/iac.2017.029.003 · Cited by 3
“The spiritual coping strategy includes existential and religious coping methods (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundHistory of Mental Health and Mental Illness
O’Reilly, M. J., & Lester, J. N. (2017) · The Language of Mental Health · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-60095-6_2 · Cited by 3
Collins, S. C., Kim, S., & Chan, E. (2017) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-017-0536-4 · Cited by 3
“The importance of religion has been previously established for patients with a variety of health issues, including terminal cancer (Balboni et al. 2007) and mental illness (Koenig 2009).”
BackgroundNawafleh, H. A., Hadid, L. A. R. A., Al-Momani, M. M., & Sayeh, A. M. A. (2018) · Health · doi:10.4236/health.2018.101009 · Cited by 4
Study of Association Between TLR4 D299G and T399I Polymorphisms and Risk of Gastric Cancer
Akbari, H., & Akbari, M. E. (2018) · doi:10.30699/acadpub.mci.2.3.32 · Cited by 3
“Many studies back the fact that among adaptive responses in patients with cancer, referring to spirituality is of great importance with a decisive role in improving their adaptation to life [10-12].”
BackgroundSpiritual care rendered by registered nurses at a state hospital in Windhoek Namibia
Amukugo, H. J. (2018) · Nursing & Care Open Access Journal · doi:10.15406/ncoaj.2018.05.00153 · Cited by 3
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Onyishi, C. N. (2021) · Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development · doi:10.37506/ijphrd.v12i1.13857 · Cited by 3
UTJECAJ RELIGIOZNOSTI I DUHOVNOSTI NA SVAKODNEVNU PRAKSU SOCIJALNIH RADNIKA
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The Handbook of Wellness Medicine
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Wijaya, H. E., Putri, S. A. A., Firdausi, Z., & Nabila, N. N. (2021) · Psychosophia Journal of Psychology Religion and Humanity · doi:10.32923/psc.v3i2.1933 · Cited by 3
“Dalam menghadapi beragam persoalan hidup tersebut, Koenig (2009) melihat agama dapat berperan sebagai perilaku coping.”
BackgroundClergies and self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A challenge to pastoral care
Khosa-Nkatini, H. P. (2022) · Verbum et Ecclesia · doi:10.4102/ve.v43i1.2338 · Cited by 3
“…are major sources of comfort and support for individuals who rely on their faith to handle the stresses of chronic and serious illness and also that caregivers with strong religious and spiritual beliefs are less anxious and depressed (Koenig 2009; Koronkiewicz 2009; Samuel-Hodge et al. 2000).”
BackgroundKonseling Spiritual Bagi Pasien Pecandu Narkoba Di Rumah Sakit Jiwa Tampan Pekanbaru
Zatrahadi, M. F., Firman, F., & Yusuf, A. M. (2021) · Jurnal Administrasi Pendidikan & Konseling Pendidikan · doi:10.24014/japkp.v2i2.15304 · Cited by 10
Lucchetti, A. L. G. (2013) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/d.5.2013.tde-24022014-162505 · Cited by 3
Depression not related to lower religious involvement in bipolar disorders?
Aubin, H., Mandhouj, O., & Reynaud, M. (2010) · Bipolar Disorders · doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2010.00841.x · Cited by 3
Elderly abuse and depression in developed countries: Does religion/spirituality matter?
Ljunggren, M. (2012) · DiVA (University of Gävle) · Cited by 3
Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior of Ghanaian American Immigrants
Ampadu, G. G. (2016) · Digital Commons - URI (University of Rhode Island) · doi:10.23860/diss-ampadu-gifty-2016 · Cited by 3
“Religiosity has an important effect on mental health and coping (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundSocial and community aspects of ageing
Zietlow, K. E., & Wong, S. P. (2022) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119484288.ch4 · Cited by 3
Gallagher, S. M., & Tierney, W. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_488-2 · Cited by 3
An Exploratory Qualitative Analysis of the Stanford-Templeton Convenings on Islam and Suicide
Awaad, R. Y., Quadri, Y., Sifat, M., Elzamzamy, K., Suleiman, K., Rehman, O., Husain, A., Abdelrehim, A., Rushdi, R., Belanger, C., et al. (2024) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-023-01986-2 · Cited by 2
Self-citationOh, H. Y., Lefevor, G. T., Davis, E. B., Zhu, A., Hu, Y., Pickering, T. A., Koyanagi, A., & Smith, L. (2025) · PLOS mental health. · doi:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000004 · Cited by 2
Öztürk, Z., Durmuş, M., Ay, E., & Okanlı, A. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-07078-7 · Cited by 2
“In this model, it is emphasised that spirituality is an important resource in dealing with difficulties in life [16, 17].”
Perceptions of Mental Health, Shame and Help‐Seeking Among Sikhs in the UK: A National Survey
Uppal, S., Takhar, O. K., Khutan, R., & Galbraith, N. D. (2025) · Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/jcop.70043 · Cited by 2
“Their view of treatments for MH difficulties also favoured psychological/psychiatric treatments as well as social and spiritual support, beliefs which are consistent with the contemporary evidence base (Koenig 2009; Thoits 2011).”
Sharma, A., Rautela, S., & Panackal, N. (2025) · Journal for the Study of Spirituality · doi:10.1080/20440243.2025.2530946 · Cited by 1
Makar, K. G., Worden, A. M., Thomas, M. R., Varner-Perez, S. E., Di, M., & Torke, A. M. (2025) · Surgery · doi:10.1016/j.surg.2025.109724 · Cited by 2
Nagib, N., Horita, R., Nagib, N., Fukao, T., Imamura, N., Tajirika, S., Adachi, M., Kawamoto, M., & Yamamoto, M. (2025) · Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports · doi:10.1002/pcn5.70209 · Cited by 2
“12 Further, the elevated family distress reported by Buddhist students may reflect cultural expectations and familial obligations that compound stress.”
The contribution of spirituality to university students’ meaning in life
Leite, É. M. R., Frota, M. A., Daniele, T. M. D. C., Cardoso, M. C. V., & Garcia, D. (2025) · Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19349637.2025.2559604 · Cited by 2
“Additionally, spirituality is associated with the acceptance and recognition of the unified nature existence between the self and the universe, with wisdom often cited as a central element (Koenig, 2009; Morgan & Peterson, 2020).”
Missouridou, E., Μangoulia, P., Rizavas, I., Karahaliou, V., Kritsiotakis, E., Pavlou, V., Parissopoulos, S., Stefanou, E., Gremou, M., Dousis, E., et al. (2025) · Advances in experimental medicine and biology · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-03398-7_42 · Cited by 2
Toprak, T. B., Özçelik, H. N., & Işık, H. R. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-07447-2 · Cited by 2
“This finding is consistent with previous research suggesting that many clients expect their beliefs to be acknowledged in therapeutic settings [44, 53].”
Goel, M., & Fuller‐Thomson, E. (2025) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus · doi:10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100187 · Cited by 2
Tornóczky, G. J., Nagy, H., Karsai, I., Conceição, A. T., Podstawski, R., & Szabó, A. (2026) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103330 · Cited by 3
Racine, C. A. (2012) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2012.749849 · Cited by 2
“Until recent times priests and nuns took care of the mentally ill (Koenig, 2009; Koenig, McCullough, & Larson, 2001).”
BackgroundResultSpirituality, Religion and Suicide: French Findings
Mandhouj, O. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-10-4816-6_24 · Cited by 2
The Need to Particularise the Concept of Spirituality within Mental Health Services in Malaysia
Shariff, N. M., & Pien, L. S. (2018) · INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARE SCHOLARS · doi:10.31436/ijcs.v1i1.45 · Cited by 3
Exploring Spirituality of Sport for Research in Indonesian Context
Qoriah, A. (2018) · International Seminar of Public Health and Education (ISPHE) · doi:10.2991/isphe-18.2018.41 · Cited by 2
“Some correlates of spirituality in health outcomes are longer healthy life of older people [4], reduction of mortality rate [5], and mental and physical health [6] [7].”
BackgroundTraditionality, Spirituality and Somatoform Dissociation Symptoms in Chinese Buddhists
Ren, Z., Hood, R. W., Su, Q., & Sa, A. (2019) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00793-y · Cited by 2
Lutova, N. B., Sorokin, M. Y., Novikova, K. E., & Давыдович, В. В. (2018) · V M BEKHTEREV REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY AND MEDICAL PSYCHOLOGY · doi:10.31363/2313-7053-2018-3-59-64 · Cited by 2
The Role of Religious Practitioners in Sustaining Social Morality
Agbiji, O. M., & Agbiji, E. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-36490-8_28 · Cited by 2
Spiritual Support in Advanced Heart Failure
Miles, J., Ross, L. A., Jarvis, P., & Pickett, S. (2020) · Health and Social Care Chaplaincy · doi:10.1558/hscc.41171 · Cited by 2
Ünal‐Aydın, P., Arslan, Y., & Aydın, O. (2020) · Spiritual Psychology and Counseling · doi:10.37898/spc.2020.5.3.103 · Cited by 2
“…90% of people in the world practices some sort of spiritual activities, Spiritual Intelligence (SI) is another concept — defined as conscious awareness that manifests one’s potential of vision, purpose and value, recently striking considerable attention from scientific community (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundDesign and validation of the Self-Care Behaviors Scale
Torres, N., Corral-Verdugo, V., Corral, N., & Rojas, M. (2021) · Behavioral Psychology/Psicología Conductual · doi:10.51668/bp.8321312n · Cited by 8
Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person
Hylton, L. (2022) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel13030222 · Cited by 2
Scherr, J., Kryszak, E. M., & Mulick, J. A. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781316798096.005 · Cited by 2
Alandaki İzdüşümleriyle Hastanelerde Mânevî Danışmanlık Eğitimleri -ABD ve Türkiye Karşılaştırması -
KANCA, H. K. (2022) · Trabzon ilahiyat dergisi · doi:10.33718/tid.1110766 · Cited by 2
Aronson, O. (2022) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2022.200242 · Cited by 2
The effectiveness of a Hospital Mesra Ibadah Course in Pahang, Malaysia
Kow, R. Y. (2019) · International e-Journal of Science Medicine & Education · doi:10.56026/imu.13.3.3 · Cited by 2
Evaluation of Healthy Aging Themes from the Perspectives of the Elderly: A Qualitative Study
Farsani, Z. K. (2022) · Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences · doi:10.5812/jkums-123750 · Cited by 2
“and meaning for the elderly to reduce anxiety and depression (25).”
BackgroundThanki, R., & Pestonjee, D. M. (2022) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2022.2108012 · Cited by 2
“Research provides evidence of a positive association between spirituality and constructs related to psychological resiliency (Dowling et al., 2004; Koenig, 2009; Tuck & Anderson, 2014).”
BackgroundKamran, M., & Ochinowski, T. (2023) · Advances in geographical and environmental sciences · doi:10.1007/978-981-19-7230-0_10 · Cited by 2
Perceptions of Economic Status and Social Stigma among Beggars: Implications for Health
Bajpai, A., & Tripathi, N. (2023) · Psychological Studies · doi:10.1007/s12646-023-00728-4 · Cited by 2
Assessing the spiritual and mental health of the KwaZulu-Natal flood disaster survivors
Straten, A. V., & Ncube, A. (2023) · Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies · doi:10.4102/jamba.v15i1.1435 · Cited by 4
“Koenig (2009) confirms that many people who suffer from mental illness or emotional problems often seek refuge in religion for comfort, hope and meaning, which essentially confirms the importance of spiritual healing within mental health.”
BackgroundOji, V. U., & Powell, B. (2024) · Christian Journal for Global Health · doi:10.15566/cjgh.v11i1.845 · Cited by 2
Validity and Reliability of a Mental Health Recovery Checklist for Young Adults
Cerrito, B. (2024) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2024.047876 · Cited by 2
Marmarosh, C. L. (2024) · International Journal of Group Psychotherapy · doi:10.1080/00207284.2024.2333680 · Cited by 2
“One way many people cope with suffering is through their spirituality and faith (Koenig, 2009; Pargament, 2007).”
Background“Dissecting the paradox: spirituality and yoga in mental wellbeing.”
Douglas, L. J. (2024) · Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19349637.2024.2341944 · Cited by 2
“An increasing trend in integrating yoga within mental health interventions is observed, albeit with diverse approaches to its spiritual elements (Koenig, 2009; Park, 2007).”
Okafor, F. O. (2024) · Mental Health and Social Inclusion · doi:10.1108/mhsi-05-2024-0071 · Cited by 2
Sikh Tenets and Experiences That Relate to Mental Health and Well-Being
Malhi, N., Sidhu, S. S., Singh, R., & Singh, M. K. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-56744-5_13 · Cited by 2
Religious savior-centered psychotherapy for depression: a focus on women’s well-being
Hesari, N. K., Mousavi, S. F., & Mahouri, F. K. (2024) · Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19349637.2024.2418122 · Cited by 3
“…that have demonstrated significant impacts on depression and mental health (Bonelli & Koenig, 2013; Douki et al., 2007; Gonçalves et al., 2015; Koenig, 2009; Mengesha & Ward, 2012; Pearce et al., 2015; Post & Wade, 2009), this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Religious…”
Lipson, J., Ford, T., Beattie, M., Garbowit, L., Gordon, H., Kiley, A., Limberis, A., Shnayder, S., & Miller, L. (2024) · International Journal for the Psychology of Religion · doi:10.1080/10508619.2024.2422171 · Cited by 3
“This question represents a decades-long bedrock in research into the psychology on spirituality and religion (Koenig, 2009).”
Oliveira, V. H. A., de Souza, M. H. F., Dell, M. L., Campos, L. F. S., Borges, T. A. A., & Moreira‐Almeida, A. (2025) · International Journal of Latin American Religions · doi:10.1007/s41603-025-00292-x · Cited by 3
“National surveys have indicated the importance of R/S for youngsters across the world (Koenig 2009; Ano & Vasconcelles 2005; Shattuck & Muehlenbein 2018; Smith et al., 2003).”
Matakas, M., Papamichail, A., Harris, D., Duncan, J., Bah, A. J., & Ademosu, T. (2025) · Transcultural Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/13634615251359373 · Cited by 2
“Overall, academics agree that a more sophisticated picture, accentuating the role of religion and its impact on mental health in different cultures, traditions and social environments, is needed (Koenig, 2009; Weber & Pargament, 2014).”
Professional dilemmas for caregivers in Turkish home care settings in Germany
Basche, J. (2014) · BORDER CROSSING · doi:10.33182/bc.v4i1-2.517 · Cited by 2
“Religious values and beliefs shape notions of health and illness and, therefore, health outcomes (Koenig, 2009).”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Koenig, H. G.
- Affiliations
- Duke Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Koenig, Harold G
- ORCID
- Koenig, Harold G
- Venue
- The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 283-291
- ISSN
- 0706-7437 (ISSN-L)
- 1497-0015
- OpenAlex
- W181914314
- Cited by
- 1,442
- References
- 77
- Citations by year
- 2026: 53 · 2025: 88 · 2024: 100 · 2023: 90 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 122 · 2020: 153 · 2019: 85 · 2018: 101 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 83 · 2015: 70 · 2014: 73 · 2013: 81 · 2012: 76
- FWCI
- 8.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health, Duke University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
- Keywords
- religion, spirituality, mental health, depression, suicide, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, stress coping, religious beliefs and practices, neurosis, psychotic delusions
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, Mental Disorders, Culture, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Mental Health, Prognosis, Psychotic Disorders, Religion and Psychology, Suicide, Substance-Related Disorders, Spirituality
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